Clamping means for globes and the like



Feb. 9, 1932.

w. H. ROWE CLAMPING MEANS FOR GLOBES AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 24. 1930 1T1 vent OT William H. Rowe,

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Patented Feb.9,1932 1,844,685

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM H. ROW'E, F CLIFTONDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELEC TRIO COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK CLAMPING MEANS FOR GLOBES AND THE LIKE Application filed September 24, 1930. Serial No. 484,092.

The present invention relates to clamping means for clamping one device to another. The invention is especially well adapted to a clamping means for clamping a globe to a globe holder or support and in the following specification and in the drawings it is specifically illustrated and described as applied to this use. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited thereto to necessarily.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved clamping means of the type referred to which is simple and rugged in structure, reliable in operation, capable of being manufactured at low cost, and which is moved from clamping to non-clamping positions or from non-clamping to clamping positions by a relatively short turning movement of one of the parts on the other.

For a consideration of what I believe to be novel and my invention, attention is directed to the following specification and the claim appended thereto.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a globe-holder embodying my invention, parts being broken away to better illustrate the structure, and a globe being shown about to be placed on the globe-holder; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing a globe clamped to the globe holder, and

Fig. 8 is a detailed perspective view of one of the clamping fingers.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates a hollow support, which may be for example, the post of a street lighting unit, provided with an inturned flange 2. In the present instance, flange 2 comprises a metal ring, angular in cross-section, which fits on the top of support 1 and is fastened thereto by screws 3. Mounted on flange 2 and arranged to have limited turning movement thereon is a clamping ring comprising a central portion 4 which rests on flange 2, an inner vertically extending flange 5, a horizontal outwardly extending portion 6 which forms a flat surface upon which the globe rests, and a downwardly extending external flange 7. The clamping ring is attached to supporting flange 2 by spaced pins 8 which are fixed to the clamping ring and project thru arcuate slots 9 in supporting flange 2, the pins having heads and shoulders as shown in Fig. 2 for holding the ring in place. By this arrangement the ring may be turned on the flange an amount equal to the length of slots 9. Attached to the side of the clamping ring and projecting radially therefrom are fingers 10 by means of which the object being clamped is retained concentric with the ring.

Mounted on supporting flange 2 are a series of U-shaped clips 11, three clips spaced 120 apart being shown in the present instance. The arms of clips 11 project vertically upward, and pivoted between the arms of each clip is a clamping finger 12. At its inner 5 end, each clamping finger is provided with a U-shaped support 13 the arms of which fit between the arms of U-shaped clips 11 and are fastened thereto by a suitable pin 14. The free end of finger 12 is curved to pro- 7 vide a rounded surface for engagement with the inner surface of a globe and is provided with slots 15 to make the finger more flexible. Each finger 12 is backed up by a cushioning finger 15a to assist in a firm yet flexible gripping of a globe. Carried by each finger 12 as part of support 13 is an ear 16 on which is an outwardly projecting pin 17. Pin 17 engages in a cam slot 18 formed in the vertical flange 5 of the clamping ring. When the clamping ring occupies the position shown in Fig. 1, the pins 17 are at the upper ends of the cam slot 18 and the clamping fingers stand in the position shown in Fig. 1 wherein the globe is released. \Vhen the pins are at the lower ends of the cam slot 18, the clamping fingers stand in the position shown in Fig. 2 wherein they are brought down into engagement with the globe. The fingers are moved from the one position to the other by turning the clamping ring on flange 2.

In the drawings, 19 indicates a globe to be attached to the globe holder.

The operation is as follows:

Assuming the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2, a globe 19 being clamped in position on the clamping ring by means of the fingers, and it is desired for any purpose to remove the globe. The operator grips flange 7 of the clamping ring and turns the clamping ring from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 1, the pins 17 riding up the cam slots 18. As the pins ride up the cam slots, the fingers 12 are turned on their pivot pins 14 so as to bring the fingers away from the globe and to the position shown in Fig. 1. .The globe may then be removed from the holder. T attach a globe to the holder, the globe is first placed on the clamping ring section 6 as shown in Fig. 2, after which the clamping ring is turned from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2 thereby bringing the clamping fingers down into enga ement with the inside of the globe.

s will be clear, the globe holder is simple in structure and easy to operate, only a small turning movement being required to either 3 clamp or release the globe. At the same time, however, it clamps the globe in an efficient manner. The arrangement has the advantage that it has no screws which must be manipulated in order to fasten the globe in place. Also, it clamps the globe with an even pressure so as to hold it firmly, the fingers 12 having suflicient flexibility to yield the required amount.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but it is to be understood that the arrangement shown is only illustrative and that the invenr tion may be carried out by other means.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

A globe holder comprising a support, a clamping ring movable circumferentially on the support and provided with a globe supporting surface and a vertically extending flange having cam slots therein, clamping members pivotally mounted-on the support, and pins on the clamping members which project into said cam slots for turning the clamping members to bring the clamping mergibers into and out of engagement with a 10 e. b In witness whereof, I have hereto set my hand this 19th day of September, 1930.

WILLIAM H. ROIVE. 

